Column: BRAIN Main Resource in Los Alamos
Column by Liviu Popa-SimilI agree with all the facts presented in the column: ‘How Los Alamos and Little New Mexico Can Help Feed the World’ by William Sellers (June 1, 2013 ladailypost.com):
- Earth population by March 2012 > 7 billion;
- Food a security issue;
- Fresh water abundance started to be a main concern and a problem too – desalinization technology may help – but not too much; and
- DOE funded SMRs.
But here we are of divergent opinions:
- DOE’s nuclear funding is more shy than ever; and
- SMR is just a trick to go around a misinformed public opinion, because all the technologies
Letter to the Editor: Don’t Blame Mother Nature For Fires
By Christina E. E. Anderson I would like to take issue with Jared McDonald’s statement that once again “we are under attack with Mother Nature’s greatest criminals.” (June 6, 2013 ladailypost.com)
Boulder, Colo., where I lived in 2003. Twelve homes were destroyed and acres and acres of forest were burned. Some have yet to recover.
Letter to the Editor: Protect Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks
By Kay Ortega
Los Alamos
We are all proud of the characteristics that make us unique; we should have the same pride for the characteristics that differentiate New Mexico from other states.
One such feature is the Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks, a series of mountain ranges in the southern part of our state. This unique habitat provides a stunning backdrop for the New Mexican wilderness and the city of Las Cruces.
Unfortunately, Congressman Steve Pearce’s HR 995 will reduce the amount of protected land and remove protection from this valuable area. Losing these fortifications could open up the Read More
Letter to the Editor: Save Our Ashley Pond Fish!
By Claire Sanders As the construction on Ashley Pond has begun, we have all been told that the ducks will be safe in a temporary home until the project is complete.
A memo posted on the project website June 5, 2013 states that this has already been accomplished by Duck Buddies, even though the ducks were there this morning (Thursday) when I took my kids to feed them. The ducks are lucky to have this group dedicated to their well being.
While at the pond, I asked one of the construction workers if he knew what was happening to the fish; he told me that as far as he knew there were no plans. The pond has Read More
Letter to the Editor: It’s The Posse Shack … Not Lodge
By Chris WeaverJust a note from someone who has lived here for over 50 years and who was a former member of the Sheriff’s Posse: I would be more than happy to donate to the cause if we could return to calling the structure what is historically: The Posse Shack.
That is the name given to the building by the original posse members and if we want this to be a historical site, we should use the original name.
I don’t know if someone who is not familiar with the history decided to “class it up a bit” or if there is a believed upscale appeal in calling it the Posse Lodge, but it’s Read More
Demonstration Garden Fair 9 a.m. to Noon Saturday
LAMG News:
The Los Alamos Master Gardeners will hold a free Demonstration Garden Fair 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, June 8 at the Demonstration Garden, located on the corner of Oppenheimer and Central Avenue in Los Alamos.
Mini-talks will be held regarding gopher management and garden pests. Another feature will be a plant clinic to which visitors may bring ill plants, pesky insects, questions and concerns.
Los Alamos Master Gardeners will be in the Garden to provide information on the different sections of the garden and specific plants.
A plant sale of plants grown by Master Gardeners will be held Read More
Alert: Heavy Police Presence to Limit Public Activity, Travel on N.M. 4 from Jemez Springs to Los Alamos and Highway 126 to Cuba
SFNF News Alert:
Public Advisory: We would like to encourage everyone to limit activity and travel on N.M. 4 from Jemez Springs to Los Alamos and Highway 126 to Cuba due to heavy fire traffic in and around the Thompson Ridge Fire.
Heavy police presence from the Sandoval and New Mexico State Police Departments will be in the area to monitor traffic.
For more information regarding the fire please visit www.inciweb.org or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ThompsonRdgFire. Additional photos and information are available at www.facebook.com/ThompsonRdgFire and www.flickr.com/ThompsonRdgFire Read More
Biologists Rescue Trout Threatened by Tres Lagunas Fire
Game and Fish biologists remove cutthroat trout in Macho Creek threatened by the Tres Lagunas Fire. Courtesy photoPECOS – Fisheries biologists with the Department of Game and Fish and the Santa Fe National Forest removed 49 Rio Grande cutthroat trout from a small creek threatened by the Tres Lagunas Fire this week, ensuring the pure strain of native fish will survive if the fire threatens its watershed.
A crew of 10 hiked two miles up Macho Creek, about three miles southwest of Terrero, and used electroshocking equipment to stun and net the trout. The 5- to 10-inch fish Read More
Wildlife Center Admits Desert Cottontail Baby Number 36
Baby Desert Cottontails delivered recently to the Wildlife Center. Photo by Larry Jeffryes
TWC News:
The Wildlife Center at 19 Wheat St. in Espanola admitted baby Desert Cottontail number 36 for the season last Saturday.
More often than not, the vast majority of young cottontails brought into the hospital for care have either been rescued unnecessarily by a well meaning individual or are the victims of landscaping incidents.
It is very important to remember that we are now in the heat of baby season here in New Mexico, as well as most other areas of the country. Cottontails grow up very fast, leaving Read More
Posts Live from Van Cliburn International Piano Competition: Plumbing – The Sublime to the Ridiculous
Posts Live from Van Cliburn International Piano CompetitionWith just five hours remaining before the Cliburn Competition final round begins, I want to turn from pianists and music to a topic of vital concern to every female concert-goer ─ bathrooms.
Fort Worth’s Bass Performance Hall is an admirable venue: lovely to look at, comfortable, with great acoustics. But even the most beautiful performing arts facility can shortchange women when it comes to bathrooms, so I faced my first trip to this necessity with the usual nagging Read More
Udall and Heinrich: Prevent Fires From Downed Power Lines
Downed power line illustration. Courtesy photo
U.S. SENATE News:
Thompson Ridge Fire Burning on Redondo Peak Thursday
The Thompson Ridge Fire burning on Redondo Peak just west of Los Alamos taken after sunset Thursday, June 6. Photo by Momo Vuyisich/WildWestGallery.com Read More
Thomas Ridge Fire Images on the Valles Caldera
Spot fires from the Thompson Ridge Fire at Headquarters Wednesday evening at the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Photo by Jim ODonnell
An Air Crane passes Headquarters with a fresh load of water from the Jemez River. Photo by Jim ODonnell
A closeup of the understory burn from the Thompson Ridge Fire Wednesday at the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Photo by Jim ODonnell
An Air Crane siphons water from the Jemez River. Photo by Jim ODonnell
A healthy underbrush burn on the west side of the Valle Wednesday. Photo by Jim ODonnell
All Activity Will Cease For The Moment on Proposed Test Wells in White Rock Canyon!
Recent public tour of proposed test wells in White Rock Canyon. Photo by Bonnie. J Gordon/ladailypost.com
COUNTY News:
This morning, County Council Chair Geoff Rodgers and Utilities Board Vice Chair Tim Neal jointly announced that for the moment all activity will cease on the proposed test wells in White Rock Canyon to develop the County’s San Juan/Chama water rights.
This hiatus will allow Councilors time to better understand issues surrounding the San Juan/Chama water rights, determine appropriate policy steps, and provide direction to the Board of Public Utilities.
Public Read More
Morning Fire Update: Thompson Ridge 10 Percent Contained; Tres Lagunas 34 Percent
Smoke from the Thompson Ridge Fire visible Thursday looking west from Espanola. Photo by Leland Lehman/ladailypost.comAcres: 14,430; Start date: May 31, 2013; Cause: Downed powerline; Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve; Containment: 10 percent; Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine; Terrain: Steep, rugged; Resources: 25 crews, 49 engines, 23 water tenders, 2 dozers; Total personnel: 1,015; Available air support: 3 air tankers, 4 helicopters;
Summary: Overnight, the fire activity was quiet compared with previous Read More
New and Returning Members Heartily Welcomed to LALT Annual Meeting
LALT News:
The Los Alamos Little Theatre will hold its annual meeting Sunday, June 9, at the Performing Arts Center, 1670 Nectar St.
Lunch will be served at 1 p.m. and the business portion of the meeting will start at 2 p.m.
This meeting is where members, having paid their one dollar annual dues (a bargain!), will vote on candidates to serve on the Board of Directors.
Returning and new members most heartily welcomed! Read More
Los Alamos Fire Station 6 Undergoes Makeover
Photo by Leland Lehman/ladailypost.com
Photo by Leland Lehman/ladailypost.com
Staff Report
Immaculate Heart of Mary Hosts 26 Pilgrims
Courtesy/IHM
Courtesy/IHM
IHM News:
Twenty six pilgrims arrived Thursday at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Canyon Road in Los Alamos.
They are traveling from Albuquerque to Chimayo on a pilgrimage for vocations of all kinds: they are praying and walking for an increased number of priests, nuns, and religious men and women.
Their journey, which began Monday, will end Sunday in Chimayo, 100 miles from start to finish. Five different groups of pilgrims started from different locations this week and will converge as they walk towards Chimayo.
This group is one of two female groups Read More
How the Hen House Turns: Two Bear Attacks
How the Hen House Turns: Two Bear AttacksDuring late summer 2002, I split the pen surrounding the Hen House in order to provide egg-laying privacy and security for an old red hen named Jupiter. A white Silkie chicken was busy raising the two Polish chicks and one turkey chick who had recently survived two bear attacks.
It was the second summer after the big fire of 2000 that had burned over 400 homes and acres of forest on the periphery of town. The bears were very hungry. One bear ate great chunks from the redwood posts on our front deck and tore several shingles Read More
Thompson Ridge Fire on The Valles Caldera – Update June 6 at 9 p.m.
Valles Caldera National Preserve June 5. Photo by Robert Beberniss
Thompson Ridge Fire
June 6, 2013 9 p.m.
Acres: 12,900, Start date: May 31, 2013, Cause: Downed powerline Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve, Containment: 10 percent; Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine; Terrain: Steep, rugged; Resources: 25 crews, 49 engines, 23 water tenders, 2 dozers; Total personnel: 1,015; Available air support: 3 air tankers, 6 helicopters.
Summary: Crews continue to work day and night shifts to take advantage of a narrow window of favorable weather to conduct burnout operations along Read More
